In this post, you can find our League of Ireland tips and predictions along with our weekly acca ahead of the third weekend of the LOI Premier Division season.
It’s that time of the year again! “The Greatest League in the World” is back to light up your weekends!
Following the double salvo of action first last Friday Night and then the following Monday, the table is starting to take further shape in the Premier Division.
It’s an all- Dublin affair at the top with Bohemians leading the way after an unbeaten start, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers . Dundalk have started impressively, but more was expected of Shelbourne and Derry City.
Galway United were expected to be in trouble in 2026, but have started well, while controversies off the field have likely gotten the better of Drogheda, with Sligo Rovers and Waterford both in trouble in the bottom two.
In 2026? Expect. The. Unexpected.
LOI Acca Selections
LOI Friday Night #7 Acca Selections
Bohemians vs Dundalk -Bohemians @ 8/13
Derry City vs Drogheda – BTTS @ 20/21
Waterford vs St. Patrick’s Athletic –S Patrick’s Athletic @ 3/4
Shamrock Rovers vs Galway United – Shamrock Rovers @ 1/2
Sligo Rovers vs Shelbourne - Shelbourne @ 4/5
An accumulator with these selections pays at approximately 13/1 with BOYLE Sports.
Bohemians vs Dundalk
Bohemians vs Dundalk– Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Bohemians – 7/10
Dundalk – 7/2
Draw – 5/2
Preview
It’s certain to end at some point, but from a Bohs perspective, I don’t think they could have expected much more from their start to the season. The sole unbeaten side in the Premier Division, with a record of five wins and two draws, is enough to put them three clear at the top of the table. Though it’s early days, it’s hard to discount the well-balanced nature of their squad, and if continuing in the same vein, they’re dark horses for the title.
Dundalk have taken full advantage of the double duty fixture list with a 5-0 hammering of Waterford and a 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers . Given that both results came against sides who will be battling against them in the fight for safety, it was a good early indicator of their prospects for survival. However, it should be noted that these results came at home, and they’ve looked weaker away from home, certainly from a mental perspective, and any point earned from this will be seen as a big bonus on current form.
Prediction: Bohemians 2-0 Dundalk
Are Bohemians the real deal? I think it’s too early to say, but they should have the better of Dundalk in this one
Derry City vs Drogheda
Derry City vs Drogheda – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Derry City – 8/15
Drogheda – 9/2
Draw – 14/5
Preview
All certainly isn’t well at Derry City, and following a 1-2 defeat to Shelbourne on Friday and a 0-0 draw at Richmond Park on Monday, the club find themselves in sixth place with eight points from their opening seven games. There were a lot of “high-quality” additions in the off-season (at least on paper), but there’s a growing belief among the masses that players were signed without a coherent strategy when it comes to formation and balance.
What started as a relatively positive off-season and a somewhat solid start in the Premier Division, with seven points off the field from their first three games. Has since soured with a multitude of issues from a non-playing perspective, at least in some part, likely influencing a record of three defeats and one draw in their next four games, though their 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers may suggest a stemming of the tide.
Prediction: Derry City 2-1 Drogheda
Derry City have created more questions than answers this season, but they may be coming against the right side in Drogheda to get a win, given their own issues.
Best Bet: BTTS @ 20/21
Waterford vs St Patrick’s Athletic
Waterford vs St Patrick’s Athletic – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Waterford – 16/5
St Patrick’s Athletic – 8/11
Draw – 13/5
Preview
Make no mistake about it, Waterford are in trouble and by extension, so is the job safety for Jon Daly after two points from their opening seven games. Their latest 4-3 defeat to a fellow side fighting to avoid relegation was rather illuminating for their prospects, conceding four goals to Galway United, who racked up 50% of their goals for the season on Monday Night. There is plenty of potential for goals in this side, but they need to find further balance if they have any chance of survival.
Though Bohemians have taken the bulk of the headlines for their start to the season. A more understated start (from a media perspective) for Pat’s may be exactly what Stephen Kenny would’ve wanted in 2026. Their fourteen points has them second, and they’ve started to show signs they can win games in multiple different ways, and that can only be good for their long-term prospects.
Prediction: Waterford 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
Waterford are in serious trouble, and though the signing of Kevin Long should make them sterner, I think Pat’s are far more reliable so far in 2026
Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic @ 3/4
Shamrock Rovers vs Galway United
Shamrock Rovers vs Galway United – Friday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Shamrock Rovers – 4/9
Galway United – 11/2
Draw – 14/5
Preview
Shamrock Rovers have been dominant in the Premier Division for the best part of six seasons, winning 5/6 titles. Given the strength in-depth in their squad with what seems on paper to be the perfect blend of youth, experience and players in their respective primes, it’s no surprise that they’re favourites again in 2026. Their start to the season has been relatively understated, with twelve points from their seven games, placing them third.
Galway United continue to silence their critics, and though they came unstuck on Friday to lose 1-0 to Bohemians in Dalymount, they bounced back with great bluster on Monday Night to overcome Waterford in a 4-3 thriller. We’ve said it multiple times already this season, and I can’t see that stopping anytime soon, that they’re extremely resilient and will pick up points that those around them likely won’t this season. Where that leaves them in terms of safety, I still don’t think it is certain.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Galway United
There’s likely more to come from Shamrock Rovers, but from a Galway perspective, they’re going beyond their long-term capabilities right now, and I can’t see them getting anything from this one.
Best Bet: Shamrock Rovers @ 1/2
Sligo Rovers vs Shelbourne
Sligo Rovers vs Shelbourne – Saturday 7:45 pm, LOI TV
Odds
Sligo Rovers – 7/2
Shelbourne -8/11
Draw – 12/5
Preview
While the Bit O’Red found solace in their 2-1 win over Drogheda, it wasn’t to be the turning point they would’ve asked for and though a 0-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers was certainly nothing to be embarrassed for their 1-0 loss away to Dundalk gives a far better indicator of where John Russell’s side currently is and that’s on form one of the worst sides in the Premier Division.
It was a big weekend for Joey O’Brien and all involved at Shelbourne after defeating Derry City on Friday night, and on the face of it, holding Bohemians to a 0-0 draw at Tolka Park on Monday wasn’t the worst result to earn. They need to pick up where they left off, though, but with Sligo Rovers , Dundalk , Shamrock Rovers and Galway United in their next four, there’s a big chance to ascend the table further.
Prediction: Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shelbourne
Sligo Rovers need to pull a result from somewhere again, and Shelbourne now seem like they’ve gotten things together, so it’s hard to see a home win anyway.
Best Bet: Shelbourne @ 4/5
Prices are subject to fluctuation
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